The non profit Spinal Cord Society New Zealand has created the calendar and Lions clubs, including in Otago and Southland, have joined forces in supporting it.
The calendar was launched at a function at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, and was attended by about 50 people, including eight children with type 1 diabetes, whose photographs are included in the calendar.
The calendar features light hearted colour photographs of youngsters undertaking various forms of adult work, including sitting in the cabs of trucks, reflecting work usually undertaken by calendar project sponsors.
And it is hoped the calendar could soon help raise about $95,000 to support further Spinal Cord Society research, aiming to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.
Mosgiel and District Lions Club former president John Bone said Lions clubs throughout Otago and Southland would be selling the calendar for $10, with all the proceeds supporting the Otago research.
He was supporting the project ''with a passion'' and believed the Dunedin research could ultimately have international importance.
Port Chalmers and Districts Lions Club former president Ella Butson helped organise yesterday's event which brought together the participating youngsters and their families, alongside sponsors as well as researchers from the University of Otago.
Otago Lions clubs aimed to raise $279,000 towards the research costs, including raising a total of $95,000 from the calendar project.
Sandra Grant, of South Otago, is co-ordinating fundraising efforts for the Spinal Cord Society Research Project, which involves innovative stem cell research, by Dr Jim Faed and Dr Paul Turner, at the university.
